Syllabus

**// Mrs. McConkey //**
 * // English I Syllabus //**
 * Major units** of study will include literature, drama, novels, library skills, OGT (Ohio Graduation Test) preparation, essay writing, and basic grammar. You are required to keep a notebook that may be graded each marking period.


 * The first unit of study will emphasize the basic elements of **short stories**. The class will read and discuss several short stories. There will be quizzes on most stories with a comprehensive unit test at the completion of this unit.
 * Next, we will study the basic elements of **drama**. We will read and discuss the play “The Miracle Worker.” There will be several quizzes and a major unit test at the conclusion of the play. We will also read Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”.
 * **Library skills** will take place throughout the year in the LRC.
 * **Novels** are the final unit of study. English I classes will read a selection of novels to be announced later. Your class fee of $20.00 will cover the cost of the paperbacks.

**Grades**: Grades are based on a percentage of total points accumulated during the grading period. Your grade will be based on homework/classwork, quizzes, tests, and other assignments including journals, essays, projects, and the notebooks score. Grading scale: A+ 98-100 A 92-97 A- 90-91 B+ 87-89 B 82-86 B- 80-81 C+ 77-79 C 72-76 C- 70-71 D+ 67-69 D 62-66 D- 60-61 F 0-59 **Make-up work** A student has as many days as he/she is absent to complete make up work. You are responsible for finding out what you have missed. DO NOT INTERRUPT CLASS TO GET THE ASSIGNMENT. Get the work before or after class. Students who do not make up assignments during the allotted time will not receive credit for them. **Lost, incomplete, or forgotten homework cannot be made up.** However, assignments worth 100 or more points may be turned in late with a 10% deduction per day. An unexcused absence will result in 70% credit for all assignments on days unexcused.
 * Class rules and expectations**:
 * 1) Be on time and prepared. (This includes notebook with paper, pen/pencil, and textbook.)
 * 2) Respect others. **Any** behavior that interferes with the learning of others **__will not be tolerated.__**
 * 3) There will be **//no//** eating, drinking, or **cell phones**. (If you have a medical reason to have water, please show it to me at the beginning of the year.)
 * 4) Passes will **__only__** be issued for emergencies. Please take care of bathroom needs before or after class. Do not ask to go to your locker!
 * 5) I will dismiss you at the end of class. There may be reminders about assignments, and __students are not dismissed by the bell.__
 * 6) Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. This includes talking during instruction, sleeping, writing notes, or making negative comments.
 * 7) Everyone is expected to read orally, and __we will__ show respect when others are reading.
 * 8) If you are assigned a detention due to misconduct, you must attend that detention on the assigned day, or you will be referred to the office for further punishment.
 * 9) CHEATING IS UNACCEPTABLE! It will result in a zero grade for both students involved. //Don’t do it//!!! PLAGARISM is cheating. The first offense will result in a zero for the assignment and a second offense will result in failure for the nine-weeks.

A three-ring binder is strongly recommended. This syllabus should be the first page of your note book. In your notebook, you will organize handouts, notes, written assignments, quizzes and grammar moments and OGT notes. Each nine weeks a notebook grade will be taken. Do not throw anything away! Your notebook will be an important study/reference tool.
 * An additional word about **notebooks**